The charity is looking for new volunteer lifeboat crew, shore crew, station management, press officers, fundraisers and shop volunteers to take up roles and get actively involved at Peel, Port Erin, Port St Mary, Douglas and Ramsey lifeboat stations.

The RNLI is also looking for applicants for two full time positions on the island. A full-time mechanic is needed for Ramsey lifeboat station while a resilience coxswain and mechanic is required to provide support to all the stations.

New volunteer lifeboat crew are being sought to ensure that the island’s six lifeboats are in a state of permanent readiness. They will crew the lifeboat on service and exercise, under the command of the coxswain or helm. Shore crew meanwhile, are required to assist with the safe launch and recovery of the lifeboats.

Fundraisers are also needed to raise vital funds and support from the local community while shop volunteers are wanted to promote the work of the RNLI within both the community and tourist population, raising awareness of safety messages as well as generating life-saving funds.

Peel and Port St Mary RNLI are in particular, seeking new volunteer lifeboat press officers to raise awareness of the RNLI by promoting the activity of the lifeboat station through the media.

Speaking as he launched the recruitment drive, Chris Gaskin, the Isle of Man’s Area Lifesaving Manager, said that now was an exciting time to get involved with the RNLI, as the charity prepares to mark
the 200th anniversary of its formation in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, whose home was in Douglas:

‘This recruitment drive is happening right across the island and we are excited by the prospect of having new people with fresh energy and skills to complement the time, dedication and commitment already being provided by our existing volunteers at all five of our stations.

‘Volunteering with us gives people the opportunity to make a real difference in their local community, to save lives and become part of the larger RNLI family. We can’t keep people safe without the support of our wonderful volunteers, who truly make a difference every day no matter which role they are fulfilling.’

The RNLI provides first class training and equipment, guidance and support to all volunteers, from volunteer lifeboat crew to shop volunteers.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.